La. Tech's Kendrick James to honor late teammate with his play

5:00 PM,
Nov. 17, 2012

La. Tech's Kendrick James (42) is playing in memory of teammate Tyrone Duplessis.

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RUSTON - Standing on the Joe Aillet Stadium turf today, Louisiana Tech's Kendrick James will try to hold back tears on what could be the second-most emotional day of his young life.

The first came in February when the defensive lineman learned that best buddy and former New Orleans O.P. Walker teammate Tyrone Duplessis had died from a heart attack. The funk the tragedy threw James into caused him to fail enough classes that he was ruled ineligible to play this fall in his senior campaign as a Bulldog.

But instead of giving up on life, James fought through the spring, the summer and the fall quarters ...